Electric light holder, especially for holiday wreaths



THS

arch 10, 1936. A. J. BARocAs Filed Oct. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 10, 1936. A BAROCAS 2,033,173

ELECTRIC LIGHT HOLDER, ESPECIALLY FOR HOLIDAY WREATHS Filed Oct. 1, 1934 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR bhamil; B I.

Patented Mar. 10, 1936 ATENT QFFICE.

ELECTRIC LIGHT HOLDER, ESPECIALLY FOR HOLIDAY WREATHS Application October 1,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to electric light holders designed especially to illuminate holiday wreaths, such as Christmas wreaths, New Year wreaths, Easter wreaths and the like, which are usually made in annular form to surround a central space or opening therewithin.

Such wreaths are customarily constructed of artificial or natural leaves and/ or berries and are frequently of inflammable materials, so that when electric current-carrying wires are used in connection with such wreaths, precaution must be taken to insure against any possibility of short circuits. For this reason and for the additional reason that such wreaths are soft and fragile in nature and offer little support for any securing means, it has heretofore been extremely difiicult to secure an electric light thereto in a satisfactory manner.

My invention contemplates the provision of a simple and inexpensive electric light holder which may be securely and easily attached inexpensively and by unskilled labor to a wreath of any type whether natural or artificial, and which holder is adapted for decorative purposes harmonizing with the decorative purpose of the wreath itself.

My invention further contemplates the provision of an electric light holder adapted to be economically produced in large quantities and which may be used, if desired, by itself or in connection with a wreath, and which is designed to adequately and safely hold an electric light or a plurality of such lights and the necessary connecting parts therefor at substantially the center or middle part of the wreath.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a safe, inexpensive and efiicient electric light holder for wreaths of any type, which holder is so designed that in case of the occurrence of a short circuit in any of the current-carrying parts, connections or conductors, they may be quickly separated from the remainder of the holder and from the wreath to avoid any serious danger of fire. The fact that the parts are separable also makes it possible to quickly and easily repair or replace defective parts.

The various objects of my invention will be clear from the description which follows, and from the drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one form of a Christmas wreath to which my invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is a similar fragmentary view of another form of wreath showing my new holder applied thereto.

1934, Serial No. 746,291

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the same showing still another form of wreath, and showing how my new holder is applied thereto.

Fig. '4 is an elevational view of the now preferred form of my new holder.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the same, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the same, showing the space for the entrance and removal of the current carrying wires.

Fig. '7 is a vertical central section, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1 of my new holder, showing the lamp carrying socket and lamp inserted thereinto.

Fig. 8is a similar section, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of my new holder.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of another modified form thereof.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of another modified form of my new holder made of two substantially identical parts of sheet material.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the parts.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section, taken on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is asimilar section taken on the line i l-I4 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of another modified form of my new holder formed of a single piece of sheet material.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a form of my new holder as it appears modified to carry a plurality of lamps.

In the practical embodiments of my invention, which I have shown by way of example, I prefer to make my new holder of suitable sheet material, such as metal, paper, fiber, synthetic resin or the like. It will be understood, however, that, if desired, the holder may be molded of suitable material or stamped, or otherwise formed.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, it will be understood that the wreaths 20, 2| and 22 may be of any type, and that my new holder is designed to be adequately and firmly secured to the wreath regardless of its structure or its fragility.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 7 the wreath 20 is of the type wherein a paper ring 23, of semielliptical cross section, forms the interior support for the wreath and is backed by a fiat sheet 24. The exposed wreath material 25 is in ribbon form and made of silk, paper or other suitable material wrapped in adjacent overlapping convolutions about the supports 23 and 24.

The electric lamp holder, designated generally by the numeral 26, comprises a preferably flat body portion 21 terminating in a preferably straight outer edge 28 and an arcuate lower edge 29. It will be understood, however, that the edges 28 and 29 may take shapes other than those shown as will be obvious, and therefore need not be described nor illustrated.

Pressed integrally from the material of the body portion 21 is the tube holding semi-cylinder 30 extending part way downwardly from the edge 28 toward the edge 29 and terminating preferably in an integral conical portion 3|. To substantially complete the tube holding cylinder in the holder 26, there is secured to the body portion 2! a member 32 having a cylindrical portion 33, a lower conical portion 34 and a flange 35. (Figs. 5 and 6.) Both the cylindrical portion 33 and the conical portion 34 subtend angles less than 180 degrees, thereby to provide an opening 36 between the member 32 and the rear face of the body portion 21. Said member 32 is suitably secured to the body portion 21 as by suitable rivets or the like fastener means 31 passing through the flange 35 and the body portion. In the cylindrical opening 38, formed between the parts 38 and 33 which cooperate with each other to hold the tube, is inserted the socket holding tube 39, made of suitable insulating material, such as paper, fiber or the like. Said tube carries the metallic threaded lamp socket 48 to which is connected one end of one of the: current conducting wires 4|, the otherends of said wires being connected to a plug of the usual type adapted to be inserted into an outlet, and which need not therefore be shown. The electric lamp 42 is removably screwed into the socket 48 in the usual manner.

It will be seen that should a short circuit occur or should any of the parts he or become defective, the parts may be quickly and easily removed from proximity to the wreath and for easy access for replacement or repair, by merely lifting the tube 39 and the lamp and socket carried thereby out of the cylindrical opening 38 and then moving the tube laterally of the opening, whereby the wires 4| pass out through the opening 36 and all of the parts are thereby quickly removed from the holder.

It will be noted that the body portion 21 of my new holder is peculiarly adapted for ornamental purposes. I prefer to perforate said body portion with the desired decorative indicia, such as the stars 49 and the notation Merry Xmas 43, so that the indicia forms a permanent season indicating part of the holder corresponding to the function of the wreath to which it is to be attached. Inwardly of the edge 29, I prefer also to provide a series of comparatively small perforations 44 for the passage of suitable means to secure the holder to the wreath. As shown, the securing means takes the form of a number of thin wires or threads 45, each passed through one of the perforations 44 and twisted on itself as at 46 outside of the edge 29, and providing an open loop of suflicient length to pass around the wreath 2B and to be twisted at its ends 41 to firmly secure the holder to the wreath at a series of spaced points. The wires or threads are practically invisible and do not detract in the least from the appearance of the wreath.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 8, where the wreath consists of artificial or natural leaves 50, 5|

backed and carried by the ring 52. the securing wires 45 are readily passed about the back ring 52 to secure the holder firmly in place on the wreath. It will thus be seen that my new holder may be readily and firmly attached to a wreath of any type without danger of becoming detached therefrom and by means which are substantially invisible, and that the holder adequately holds the lamp 42 at substantially the center of the wreath to give the desired lighting effect and to illuminate the wreath.

In that form of my invention shown in Fig. 9, the partly cylindrical band 55 is pressed from that part of the material of the body portion 21 which is removed from the opening 56. The band 55 subtends an angle less than 180 degrees to provide an opening 51 permitting the removal of the wires 4| together with the tube 39 as a unit. To complete the support for the tube, the opposed cooperating band 58 is secured at its flanged ends to the body portion 21, as by means of suitable rivets or the like 59. The tube 39 is removably inserted in the opening 68 thus provided and in the opening 56.

In that form of my invention shown in Fig. 10, the same structure as just described in connection with Fig. 9 is preferably used, together with the additional band 6|, similar to the band 55, and similarly pressed from the material removed from the opening 56, but at a point in vertical spaced relation to the band 55 to provide an additional supporting means for the tube 39.

In that form of my invention, shown in Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive, I have shown my holder as made of two identical parts. Each of said parts includes the body portion "I6, the semi-cylindrical portion H pressed therefrom near one of its ends laterally in one direction and terminating in the fiat flange 18, the lowermost cylindrical portion 19 of less diameter than the portion 11, and the conical portion joining the cylindrical portion 11 and I9. In the flange 78 extending from the cylindrical portion 11, suitable holes as 8| may be made for the passage of the rivets 82, said rivets passing through registering holes in the body portion 16 of the other member to firmly secure said members together. When so secured (Fig. 13) the cylindrical parts 11 cooperate to form a complete cylinder into which the socket carrying tube 39 may be inserted, so that the wires 4| pass through the cylindrical opening formed by the cooperating portions 19. It will be understood that since the flange 18 of one of the members is unsecured to the other member, the lamp and socket holding tube may be readily removed from the holder by lifting them out of the holder and then forcing the wires 4| out of the holder by springing back the unsecured flange 18.

As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the holding means for the tube 39 may be formed integrally with the body portion 2?! of the holder in the manner indicated in the forms of my invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10. However, in the form now being described, the partly cylindrical band is bent from the material of the opening 56 in a direction opposite to that in which the band 55 is bent. Said bands 55 and 99 therefore cooperate to form a springy securing means for the tube 39 from which the tube may be readily removed, the wires 4| being removed from the holder through the openings 9| or 92 at the ends of the respective bands 55 and 99.

In each of the forms of my invention, it therefore is made possible to remove the wires 4| substantially instantaneously when-itis desired" to avoiddanger of fire, or to repair or replace the parts.

While I have described my invention hereinbefore as adapted to hold a-single electric lamp,

.one lamp may be held, I have shown in Fig. 17 a plurality of cylindrical openings 38.

It willbe seen that I have provided a simple and inexpensive electric light holder which may be quickly, easily and firmly attached to a'holiday wreath of any type, or which may be suspended orused by itself unconnected to any wreath, and from which the lighting parts may be readily and quickly removed should it be desired vto do so. It will further be seen that I have provided an efficient electric light holder adapted especially for use for holiday wreaths, and'which is well designed to meet the severe requirements of practical use.

While I have shown and described certain specificemb'odiments of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, since I intend to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electric light holder for wreaths of the type which surround an open space therewithin, comprising a thin sheet member having fiat faces and adapted to be arranged in vertical position across said space, tubular means projecting laterally in one direction beyond one'of said faces and projecting laterally in the other direction beyond the other face for supporting a socketcarrying and lamp-supporting tube in vertical position, said means being carried by and secured to the member, the axis of said tubular means being parallel to the faces of said member, and thin bendable securing means adjacent the periphery of the member, said securing means being adapted to be bent around part of the wreath and being of such little width as to be unnoticeable.

2. In an electric light holder for wreaths and the like, a main member of sheet material arranged vertically when in operative position within the wreath, an incompletely-tubular elongated tube-holding portion extending laterally beyond one face of the member in one direction to form a humped projection thereon, a second incompletely-tubular portion extending from the member laterally and projecting beyond the other face of the member in the opposite direction to form a second humped projection thereon, an insulating tube removably held by said portions in vertical position, an electric-light socket in the tube arranged with its axis vertical and adapted to support a lamp at substantially the center of the wreath and with the axis of said lamp vertical, and narrow bendable means on the member adapted to be bent around part of a wreath for securing the member to the wreath.

3. An electric light holder comprising a sheet metal body member in the form of a circular sector provided with an uppermost straight edge and a lowermost arcuate edge intersecting the straight edge, a semi-cylindrical portion pressed forwardly from the central part of said member, and a complementary cylindrical portion opposed to the pressed cylindrical portion and cooperating therewith to hold a lamp carrying tube therebetween,

wires or threads-to secure the member to a wreath.

4. In an electric light holder foruse especially with holiday wreaths of the annular type, a sheet metal member having an arcuate edge adapted to be fitted into the wreath to contact with and forsupport by the wreath adjacent the inner edge of said wreath, a cylindrical portion'extending laterally from-the member in one direction to form an exposed hump therein, a second cylindrical portion extending laterally from'the member in the other direction to form a second'hump,

said cylindrical portions cooperating with each other to removably hold a tube in vertical posi tion therebetween, a plurality of perforations in said member adjacent the periphery thereof, and wires passing through said perforations and of sufiicient length to be passedaround the wreath towhich the holder is to be attached to secure the holder to the wreath.

5. In an electric light holder for wreaths, a

one-piece body member of sheet material having a partly cylindrical portion pressed from the member laterally in one direction and out of the plane of the remainder of the member, anda partly cylindrical member of sheet material extendinglaterally'from the body member in the other direction, saidpartly cylindricalmember cooperating with said portion to hold a tube removably therebetween and in vertical position and being provided with a flange secured to the body member.

6. In an electric light holder especially for use with holiday wreaths, a body member of sheet material adapted to be fitted into the wreath and provided with edge-adjacent perforations. a partly cylindrical portion pressed from the body member laterally in one direction, a partly cylindrical flanged portion subtending less than 180 degrees secured to the body member at its flange and extending laterally from said body member in the opposite direction and cooperating with the cylindrical portion to receive a socket-carrying tube therebetween and providing a longitudinal space between the edge thereof and the body member for the passage of wires between and into and out of said partly cylindrical member and said portion, and tying members adapted to be passed through said perforations and around the wreath to secure the body member to the wreath at spaced points.

'7. The combination with a wreath of annular form surrounding a central space therewithin, of an electric light holder adapted to extend completely across the lower part of said space and arranged below the center of the space and including an upright member of sheet material having a fiat body portion, a cylindrical holding part adapted toremovably hold a socket and lampcarrying tube, said part being associated with said member and extending laterally therefrom in both directions and arranged in upright position to position a lamp at the center of said space, and means for attaching peripheral parts of the holder to the wreath at spaced points.

8. An electric light holder for attachment to fragile annular holiday wreaths comprising a member of a fiat sheet of material having a front face and a rear face, said faces determining the maximum thickness of the sheet, said member being arranged when operative with said faces in vertical position within the wreath and extending across the wreath, tubular means for supporting a tube in vertical position, said means being said-member being provided with perforations ad'- jacent theperiphery thereof for the passage of carried by the member, and having a vertical axis and extending laterally beyond both of said faces and being of greater interior diameter than the thickness of the sheet, and flexible attaching members carried by the sheet and adapted to be bent around the wreath to secure the holder to the wreath at widely spaced points.

9. The combination with an annular holiday wreath having a central space therein and adapted to be arranged in upright position, of an electric light holder arranged vertically to extend across the lower part of said space and comprising a member of sheet material having a flat vertical body portion and a tube-carrying portion extending laterally from the body portion in one direction and forming part of a tube carrier, a second member of sheet material having a laterally extending complementary tube-carrying portion projecting from said second member in the opposite direction and cooperating with the tube-carrying portion of the first-mentioned member to form the remainder of the tube carrier, said tube-carrying portions forming exposed projecting humps on the body portion, an insulating tube in the said tube carrier arranged between said tube-carrying portions of said members in vertical position, a socket carried by said tube, a lamp removably carried by said socket in vertical position and at approximately the center of the wreath, means for securing the members together, and means for securing the members to the wreath.

10. In an electric light holder for wreaths of the annular type having a circular opening therein, a flat, thin sheet metal member of suflicient size to extend across said opening and to be arranged substantially in the plane of the wreath and to obstruct a substantial area less than half the area of said opening, flexible means adapted to be passed around the wreath for securing spaced peripheral portions of the member to the wreath at substantially diametrically opposed points of the wreath, tubular means projecting laterally in one direction from said member, and also projecting laterally in the other direction from said member for supporting a socket-carrying and lamp-supporting tube in vertical position, said tubular means being carried by and secured to the member, the axis of said tubular means being parallel to the plane of said member, and a socket-carrying and lamp-supporting tube removably inserted into said tubular means and of sufiicient height to position a lamp inserted thereinto at the center of the wreath and with the axis of the lamp substantially in the plane of the wreath.

ABRAHAM J. BAROCAS. 

